Anderson [Wex Records]

"What I like most is the simple fact of just making something out of nothing"

Anderson is the DJ and producer who has been connecting the dots between the flourishing notes of the synthesizers, the thunderous drums and the promotion of the arpeggios to a clear precision. Its incredible music and its Wex Records, launch a breath of fresh air to the underground electronic music panorama, and we love that. Read our interview below to find out more about Anderson’s wide-spanning influences, creative environment and studio methods.

Hi! Where can we find you right now? How did you start off your day?

Hey! Firstly thanks for having me! Recently iʼve been starting off my day with a little stretch and work out. Some sun salutations, a couple pushies and come crunchies, nothing too intensive.. After that ill make some coffee. At the moment Iʼm doing just that, having some coffee & sitting in my kitchen.

How did you first get into electronic music? Was it your first real musical love or were you a keen listener of all sounds when you were younger?

As a kid I really listened to everything. Pop, rock, rap, or whatever my parents were listening to whatever was on the radio. Iʼd say my initial intro to electronic music was pretty basic... In the early teenage years, one of my friends had some plastic Traktor DJ controller and we would just play cheesy EDM music off of our computers. Before that I was listening to more classic rock & jam band sort of stuff. Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads & later on bands like Lotus & other similar jammy stuff. Always found the more psychedelic stuff interesting. Right now I have to thank my childhood video game soundtracks for all the influence it gave me. Games like Ape Escape, Wipeout, Ratchet & Clank have some mad music, which I think where buried into my subconscious.

Y What is your music criterion?

I kind of just buy whatever makes me really feel something. I like tracks that can be fun and vibey, but also energetic and emotional at the same time. Timeless tracks too. Stuff that sounds like itʼs being made in the past, present & future.

How much has your sound changed since you started your dj career?

Iʼd say my sound has just become more refined. Ditched a lot of aggressive cheesey stuff and kept the more familiar sounding stuff. Some of those cheesy elements I still hear in the music I listen to today, just used in a way thatʼs more appealing to my current taste.

What inspired you? What was your production criteria? What did you want to transmit?

I started studying sound and recording at the School for Audio Engineering in NYC after highschool..But It wasnʼt until 2014 I met up with some new friends here in CT that really inspired me and introduced me to more ‘undergroundʼ music. They were throwing parties at small local bars bringing local/international DJs and what not. Back then I didnʼt really have any approach to making music or sculpting sounds. Just tried to have a go at some presets and see what would come of it. I didnʼt really take it as serious back then as I do now, so there was never a set destination for my music, just kinda fell into the habit of making tracks.

Are you particularly permeable to your environment, creatively speaking? If so, how does it influence your DJ focus? And producing?

Probably for Djʼing more so than producing. I think DJʼing just has more variables in play that can effect how you play. Venue, sound system, equipment in the booth, crowd etc all play roles in how the night could go, so itʼs more up in the air. However when producing, Iʼm always in the comfort of my own studio and my machines. So its pretty easy for me to really get into it right away.

What do you like most about producing tracks? What is your selection criteria?

What I like most is the simple fact of just making something out of nothing.

Would you like to share a set? Can you tell us more about it? When and how was it recorded?

This was recorded in February in my studio for Be Told Lies Records. I had a track on a nice VA comp with Adam Pits, Urulu, & Yushh. So after that I did a podcast for them.

Whatʼs more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Both!

What makes a good mix to you?

Cohesiveness and clarity. I like to let the tracks do the work & tell their own story.

What have been the most influential factors on your career so far?

Iʼd say connecting with one of my best pals Marco Malpeso back in 2014. Heʼs been a huge influence in the direction of my sound over the years. Funny story, before we even met, we unknowingly had been to a lot of the same cheesy festivals and concerts. I had even walked through his camp ground DJ set at this one festival, not knowing it was him playing. We had similar taste in music and both kinda grew out of that style around the same time. He had this project called Wex, which has now started blossoming into an amazing label. Before releasing music, we were doing parties in NYC and Brooklyn at various venues. We just did a 4 year Anniversary party for Wex in January in Brooklyn which was wicked. Canʼt thank him enough for the outlets heʼs created & that Iʼm able to release my music on. Not sure iʼd be where I am today without him, big ups brotha.

Where was your favorite place to play, what was your most interesting gig, and for what reason?

My favorite place to play was definitely the River Port in Kiev. Marco and I had a Wex showcase there which was super fun. That city, venue, crowd and all around vibe was rock solid. We played right until just past sunrise on the port & we made it to the terminal with like 10 minutes to spare. We also took a 7 hr train ride from Kiev to Lviv for another gig which was a really cool experience. This was one of my first international gigs so I was stoked for the journey.

What makes you happy?

A damn fine cup of coffee.

Whatʼs your favourite “save the dancefloor” song?

Iʼve never used it for this purpose, but I could see this saving a floor.

What was the last record store you visited and what did you keep there?

Academy Records in Brooklyn. Walked out with a nice batch after that one. This is one of them:

Whatʼs your studio comprised of at the minute? And is there a special piece of gear youʼd never get rid of?

Mostly early 2000ʼs VA synths. Korg EMX 1, Yamaha RM1x, Roland JV1010, Korg Radias, Yamaha AN200, EMU XL-7. Roland MC -505 , Korg Minilogue. got some rack FX bits as well, all going into a Soundcraft MTK 12.

How do you deal with C19 confinement with your work?

For me, the silver lining of all this is that I can really work on my projects 110% now.. I think Iʼve finished a whole EP and 3 separate tracks for VAʼs in just this past month. Have a lot more to do as well, so thats been keeping me busy.

Has this situation influenced your creative perspective? What social and musical implications do you think this situation can lead to?

Maybe it has influenced me subconsciously, but I havenʼt produced anything with the intention of having it related to all of this. The implications Iʼm not really sure to be honest. I think all we can do is just stay busy and focused until this thing has run its course.

What tracks would you recommend us to liven up the confinement?

This is one Iʼve been playing recently. Speedy emotional apocalyptic hard trance. Classic one at that.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

Canʼt give too much info away... but loads of stuff for Wex, Day by Day, AHAAD & our other sub labels. Also have some digital bits coming out at the end of this month. Both on really spacial VA comps, so keep a look out for that!

Anderson

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